Enhance Your Degree With a CIS Co-Op

Earn CreditEarn Money

Gain Experience

Today’s job market is extremely competitive. Employers are looking for more than just a degree. They want to hire the candidate who has both the strong education and work experience in their desired field. The CIS Co-Op will help you achieve your goals of a career in CIS/IT.

The CIS Co-Op is a formal, accredited academic program that integrates classroom theory with work experience. You alternate semesters of work and study, beginning the summer after your freshman year. You will complete a minimum of two and a maximum of four Co-Op semesters. Your degree will be completed in five years with the equivalent of at least one year of meaningful CIS/IT experience.

Current immigration laws allow international students to participate in cooperative education if they are part of an academic program. The CIS Co-Op’s accredited program satisfies this requirement.

Scholarship students, athletes, international students and students receiving financial aid should notify the appropriate CSU offices of their participation in the CIS Co-Op program and inform the CIS Co-Op office of their status.

Program RequirementsIt’s never too early to apply – you may apply for the CIS Co-Op as early as your freshman year, when you are accepted into the Monte Ahuja College of Business. To be accepted into the program you must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 2.2 GPA and be in good academic standing • Two completed semesters of CIS coursework • Complete CSC 121 Career Orientation, typically taken freshman year. • Where you learn interview techniques, resume preparation through

Careerline and other employment skills • Work full-time (40 hours per week) during Co-Op semesters

Participating in the CIS Co-Op is extremely enriching, rewarding and beneficial for your CIS career.

• Earn academic credit towards your degree • All Co-Op positions are salaried which can help pay for tuition • Receive a certificate upon graduation • Explore different areas of professional experience and career

opportunities • Develop and apply communication skills • A unique networking opportunity – companies often use Co-Op programs

to recruit full-time, entry-level IT professionals

CIS Co-Op Education Experience (CIS 300/400)When you are ready to begin Co-Op assignments, typically the summer after your freshman year, you will register for CIS 300/400 CIS Co-Op Education Experience. You will also work closely with the CIS Co-Op office and utilize CSU Careerline to obtain a Co-Op assignment.

CIS 300/400 is a pass/fail academic course that must be taken every Co-Op semester and requires no classroom time away from the job.

• Course instructor is the student’s Co-Op Faculty Advisor • Together with the course instructor and company supervisor, develop and

submit Co-Op Learning Objectives • The student prepares a final report summarizing the experience that is

graded by their Faculty Advisor • Complete and submit an evaluation of the Co-Op experience

Alternating Work/Study ScheduleThe Co-Op track degree completion is five years. Students have the option of starting their semester the second half of Summer after freshman year or the Spring of sophomore year.

Co-Op starting in Spring and ending after the first half of SummerSummer 2 Fall Spring Summer 1

Year 1 (Freshman) Courses CoursesYear 2 (Sophomore) Courses Co-Op Co-OpYear 3 (Pre-Junior) Courses Courses Co-Op Co-OpYear 4 (Junior) Courses Courses Co-Op Co-OpYear 5 (Senior) Courses Courses Courses

Co-Op starting in the second half of Summer and continuing through FallSummer 2 Fall Spring Summer 1

Year 1 (Freshman) Courses CoursesYear 2 (Sophomore) Courses Courses CoursesYear 3 (Pre-Junior) Co-Op Co-Op Courses CoursesYear 4 (Junior) Co-Op Co-Op Courses CoursesYear 5 (Senior) Co-Op Co-Op Courses

Visit the CIS Department in the Monte Ahuja College of Business or visit us online at www.cis.csuohio.edu/coop.

1860 E. 18th St, BU344Cleveland, OH 44115

P: 216.687.4760F: 216.687.5448

E: cis.coop@csuohio.edu

Ready to begin or want more information?